Patience Grasshopper:
Frame 3 Results SquadOp Operation ICHIGO
Japanese Attacks
A42
The IJA forces launched a heavy and sustained attack against A42 with Ki-61s fighter-bombers and Ki-67 bombers. The field was leveled and last seen was being occupied by the Japanese Army engineering corps.
A75
In the south the new American base at A75 was captured by the Japanese Army (NHRapier and bubbi109 in an M3) after the town was flattened by fighter-bombers in the middle of the second hour.
A59
NHRapier and bubbi109, who successfully captured A75, were allowed to “land” and re-up their trusty M3 for a similar attack on A59. This nearly succeeded with the Ki-61s doing heavy damage to the town. The M3 was rolling forward when the lot of them were attacked by a large squadron of P-47s. The new American fighter-bombers made short work of the Japanese and forstalled another base capture.
American Attacks
A76
The town at A76 was leveled by the American P-47 fighter-bombers, however, this has only managed to infuriate the local Chinese warlord. He has avowed his undying support of the Japanese in retaliation for this vicious attack.
A75
The fuel and ammo was targeted by the Americans and completely wiped out, along with a hanger.
A38
This base was intended to be a major target for the Americans with several P-51 fighter-bomber squadrons escorting A20s and B-26s. However, severe rains in the rear areas apparently grounded most of the A20s and all of the B-26s. Consequently, the P-51s and a single A20 tried to take out the base against moderate Japanese opposition. The base was only lightly damaged against heavy losses to the P-51s.
A60
The Japanese forward base was totally flattened by the Americans.
FRAME SUMMARY
Frame 3 was pretty much a stand-off with the Americans heavily damaging two Japanese bases in exchange for the loss of two of their bases.
It will be a long and heavy war, but the Japanese are making some headway. A significant lack of bombers in the north hurt American plans, and a steadily declining Japanese force from Frame 1 to Frame 3 hurt them as well. The P-47 fighter-bomber was a welcome addition to the American forces, in Frame 3 it carried the ball in the south. The Japanese could only replace badly outclassed A6M5-Zeke fighters with more competent Ki-61 fighter-bombers. This helped them considerably.
Thanks to all of the Frame COs:
Midnight, Longdist, Sikboy
Jordi (twice), bubbi109
Thanks to the Setup CM:
Innomin8
For making it all work.
